Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
215609-8
VORTEX GENERATlNG ~UII) INJECTOR ASSEMBLY
d of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fluid injector assemblies for drawing a first
fluid into the flow of a second fluid, and in particular to an injector assembly which creates
a vorte~ of the second fluid for drawing the first fluid into the flow of the second fluid.
Water treatment devices of the ion e~change type, often referred to as water softeners,
typically include a tank having a resin bed through which hard water passes to e~change its
hardness causing ions of calcium and maenesium for the sodium ions of the resin bed.
Regeneration of the resin bed is periodically required to remove the accumulation of hardness
r~l.sine ions and to replenish the supply of sodium ions. Regeneration is usually
accomplished by flushing a brine solution from a brine tank through the resin bed. During
regeneration a fluid such as unconditioned water flows through a chamber in an injector
housing to the resin bed. The brine solution from the brine tank is in fluid communication
with the chamber of the injector housing. The water flowing through the injector housing
chamber draws the brine solution into the flow of the water and into the resin tank to
regenerate the resin bed. In small water softeners, the rate of flow of the water through the
injector housing is insufficient to begin or sustain the draw of the brine solution from the
brine tank into the resin tank. The present invention provides a fluid injector assembly which
provides a reliable draw of brine solution into the flow of water at low flow rates of the
water.
Summary of the Invention
A fluid injector assembly is provided for drawing a first fluid into the flow of a second
fluid. The fluid injector assembly includes an eductor including an inlet forrned by a plurality
of openings. a first outlet port, and a first fluid passage extending between the inlet and the
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first outlet port. The openings of the inlet are arranged generally tangential to the first fluid
passage. The inlet may additionally include openings arranged generally a~ially to the first
fluid passage. The inlet of the eductor is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with
the second fluid such that the second fluid flows through the openings in the inlet to the first
outlet port through the first fluid passage. The injector assembly also includes a throat having
an inlet port, a second outlet port, and a second fluid passage extending between the inlet port
and the second outlet port. The inlet port of the throat is spaced apart from the first outlet
port of the eductor forming a gap therebetween. The gap is adapted to be placed in fluid
communication with a supply of the first fluid. The injector assembly includes first and
second leg members each having a first end ~n~ched to the eductor and second ends which
selectively engage the throat to retain the first outlet port of the eductor in spaced relation to
the inlet port of the throat and thereby maintain the gap therebetween. As the second fluid
flows through the inlet, the tangential openings of the eductor cause the second fluid to swirl
as the second fluid flows through the first fluid passage and out of the first outlet port into
the gap thereby creating a vortex of second fluid in the gap. The vortex of second fluid in
the gap creates a low pressure zone within the gap between the outlet port of the eductor and
the inlet port of the throat which draws the first fluid into the gap wherein the first fluid is
drawn through the inlet port of the throat along with the second fluid and flows through the
second fluid passage.
Brief Description of the Drawinp~
Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a control mechanism for a water softener
device showing the fluid injector assembly located within the injector housing of the control
mechanism.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the fluid injector assembly.
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Figure 3 is a side-elevational view of the vortex generator of the eductor of the fluid
injector assembly.
Figure 4 is an end view of the vortex generator showing the openings of the inlet of
the eductor.
Figure S is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of the eductor.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the throat of the fluid injector assembly.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled fluid injector assembly.
Desc~ ;~tion of the Preferred EmbodliJnent
The fluid injector assembly 10 of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 installed
within the chamber 13 of an injector housing 12. The injector housing 12 is part of a control
mech~nism 14 of a water treatment system such as a water softener. The control mer~nicm
14 includes an inlet port 16 which is in fluid communication with a brine tank (not shown).
A fluid passage 18 extends between the inlet port 16 to an outlet port 20, illustrated in the
dotted lines in Figure 1, formed in the injector housing 12. The outlet port 20 provides fluid
communication between the fluid passage 18 and a central chamber 22 forrned within the
injector housing 12. A valve 24 may be placed in fluid communication with the fluid passage
18 between the inlet port 16 and the outlet port 20 to selectively open or close the fluid
passage 18 as desired. A first fluid, such as a brine solution, flows through the inlet port 16,
through the valve 24 and outlet port 20, into the cent~al chamber 22 of the injector housing
12.
The control mechanism 14 also includes a fluid passage 30 which extends through a
perforated screen 32 in~o an outer chamber 34 formed within the injector housing 12. A
second fluid, such as untreated water, flows through the perforated screen 32 and through the
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fluid passage 30 into the outer charnber 34 of the injector housing 12. The injector housing
12 also includes an outlet port 36 which provides fluid communication with a resin tank (not
shown) of the water treatment system for recharging of the resin.
As best shown in Figures 2 and 7, the fluid injector assembly 10 includes an eductor
40 having a vortex generator 42 and a nozzle 44. If desired, the vortex generator 42 and the
nozzle 44 may be formed as a single piece. As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the vortex
generator 42 includes a first end 46 and a second end 48. The first end 46 includes a
plurality of fingers S0. Each finger S0 includes an inner portion 52 which extends generally
radially from a longitudinal a~is 54 and a outer portion 56 which extends generally
transversely to the inner portion 52. The fingers S0 extend along the longitudinal axis 54
between an outer wall 58 and an inner wall 60. A generally cylindrical bore 62 extends
concentrically along the longitudinal axis 54 between a port 64 located in the second end 48
of the vortex generator 42 and the outer wall 58 at the first end 46 of the vortex generator
42. The first end 46 of the vortex generator 42 includes an inlet 65 formed by a plurality of
tangential openings 66. Each opening 66 is formed between the outer portion 56 of a first
finger 50 and the inner portion 52 of a second ~ cent finger 50. Each opening 66 is in fluid
communication with the cylindrical bore 62 and extends generally tangentially to the
cylindrical bore 62. The inlet 65 may also include axial openings 67 which extend through
the outer wall 58 such that each opening 67 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis
54. A ridge 68 extends generally circumferentially about the outer surface 70 of the vortex
generator 42. The outer surface 70 of the tip member 42 is generally cylindrical.
As best shown in Figure 5, the nozzle 44 of the eductor 40 includes a first end 80 and
a second end 82. The first end 80 includes a generally cylindrical chamber 84 formed by a
cylindric~l wall 86. The cylindrical wall 86 extends between a rim 88 and a generally
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annular wall 90. The cylindrical wall 86 is concentrically lacated about the axis 54. A
generally cylindrical hub 92 projects into the chamber 84 from the annular wall 90 and is
concentrically located about the axis 54. The nozzle 44 includes a generally conical bore 94
formed in the cylindrical hub 92 concentrically about the axis 54. The conical bore 94
includes a generally circular first rim 96 at the end of the hub 92 and a spaced apart generally
circular second rim 98. The first rim 96 is larger in diameter than the second rim 98 such
that the conical bore 94 converges inwardly as it extends from the first rim 96 to the second
rim 98. A generally cylindrical bore 100 extends generally concentrically about the axis 54
between the second rim 98 of the conical bore 94 and an outlet port 102 in the second end
B2 of the nozzle 44. The diameter of the cylindrical bore 100 is smaller than the diameter
of the cylindrical bore 62. The nozzle 44 also includes a generally circular peripheral groove
104 which extends around the nozzle 44. An elastomeric gasket 106, such as an aring, as
best shown in Figure 7, is located in the groove 104. The gasket 106 is adapted to form a
seal between the nozzle 44 of the eductor 40 and the injector housing 12.
As also best shown in Figure 7, the second end 48 of the vortex generator 42 is
adapted to be inserted into the cylindrical chamber 84 of the nozzle 44 until the ridge 68 of
the vorte~c generator 42 engages the rim 88 of the cylindrical wall 86 of the nozzle 44. The
outer surface 70 of the vortex generator 42 fits closely within the cylindrical wall 86 of the
nozzle 44. As the second end 48 of the vortex generator 42 is inserted into the cylindrical
chamber 84, the cylindrical hub 92 located within the cylindrical chamber 84 projects through
the port 64 and into the cylindrical bore 62 of the vortex generator 42. The cylindrical hub
92 fits closely within the cylindrical bore 62 of the vortex generator 42. A fluid passage 108
is thereby provided from the inlet 65 formed by the openings 66 and 67 in the first end 46
of the vortex generator 42, through the cylindrical bore 62 of the vortex ~enerator 42,
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through the conical bore 94 and cylindrical bore 100 of the nozzle 44, to the outlet port 102.
The fluid passage 108 extends generally along the longitudinal axis 54.
The fluid injector assembly 10 also includes a throat 120 as best shown in Figure 6.
The throat 120 includes a first end 122 and a second end 124. An inlet port 126 is formed
in the tip of the throat 120 at the first end 122 which is generally concentric with the a~is 54.
The first end 122 of the throat 120 includes a generally conical bore 128 having a first
circular rim 130 which forms the inlet port 126 and a spaced apart second circular rim 132.
The second rim 132 is smaller in ~ meter than the first rim 130 such that the conical bore
128 converges inwardly in the downstream direction of flow from the first rim 130 towards
the second rim 132. A generally cylindrical bore 134 extends between the second rim 132
and a circular rim 136. A generally conical bore 138 extends between the rim 136 and a
generally circular rim 140. The rim 140 forms an outlet port 142 in the second end 124 of
the throat 120. The rim 140 is larger in di~met~r than the rim 136 such that the conical bore
138 diverges outwardly in the downstream direction of flow from the rim 136 to the nm 140.
The conical bore 128, cylindrical bore 134 and conical bore 138 form a fluid passage 144
which extends between the inlet port 126 and outlet port 142 substantially along the
longitudinal axis 54. The throat 120 includes a generally circular circumferential groove 146.
The throat 120 also includes a generally circular circumferential groove 148 located adjacent
the second end 124 of the throat 120. The groove 148 is adapted to receive an elastomeric
gasket 150 such as an O-ring as shown in Figure 7. The central charnber 22 is formed on
one side of the gasket 106 between the gaskets 150 and 106, and the outer chamber 34 is
formed on the opposite side of the gasket 106. As best shown in Figure 7, the inlet port 126
and the first end 122 of the throat 120 are spaced apart from the outlet port 102 and second
end 82 of the nozzle 44 of the eductor 40 to form a gap 152 therebetween. The gap 152 is
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in fluid communication with the central chamber 22 and fluid passage 18 of the injector
housing 12.
The fluid injector assembly 10 also includes a retention mechanism 158 which retains
the throat 120 in spaced relation to the eductor 40. The retention mechanism 158 includes
a first leg member 160 and a second leg member 162. Each leg member 160 and 162
includes a first elongate member 164A and a spaced apart second elongate member 164B.
Each elongate member 164A and 164B includes a first end 166 which is attached to the
second end 82 of the nozzle 44 and a second end 168. A curved rib 170 is attached to and
extends between the second ends 168 of the elongate members 164A and 164B of each leg
member 160 and 162. The ribs 170 are adapted to seat within the groove 146 on opposing
sides of the throat 120 to retain the inlet port 126 of the throat 120 in spaced relation to the
outlet port 102 of the eductor 40. An aperture 172 is formed between the elongate members
164A and 164B to facilitate fluid communication between the gap 152 and the outlet port 20
of the fluid passage 18. The leg members 160 and 162 are flexible such that the second end
168 of the first leg member 160 and the second end 168 of the second leg member 162 may
be selectively spread apart from one another to disengage the ribs 170 from the throat 120
when desired.
In operation, the fluid injector assembly 10 is located within the injector housing 12
such that the openings 66 and 67 of the inlet 65 are in fluid communication with the outer
chamber 34 of the injector housing 12, such that the gap 152 is in fluid communication with
the outlet port 20 of the fluid passage 18, and such that the outlet port 142 of the throat 120
is in fluid communication with the outlet port 36 of the injector housing 12. The second fluid
~lows under pressure from the outer chamber 34 within the injector housing 12 through the
tangential openings 66 of the eductor 40 into the fluid passage 108. The tangential openings
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66 cause the second fluid to swirl or rotate about the longitudinal axis 54 as it flows through
the fluid passage 108 to the outlet port 102. As the swirling second fluid passes through the
outlet port 102, the second fluid forms a vortex in the gap 152 having a low pressure zone
located between the outlet port 102 of the eductor 40 and the inlet port 126 of the throat 120.
The low pressure zone within the gap 152 draws the first fluid located in the central chamber
22 of the injector housing 12 into the gap 152 wherein the first fluid mL~es with the second
fluid. The mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid within the gap 152 flows into the
fluid passage 144 of the throat 120 through the inlet port 126, out of the fluid passage 144
through the outlet port 142, and through the outlet port 36 of the injector housing 12 for use
in regenerating the resin within a resin tank.
Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in
connection with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, however, it must be understood
that these particular arrangements merely illustrate, and that the invention is to be given its
fullest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims.
